The Fernway Flash

March, 2025

Dear Fernway Families,

March is here, and it's going to be a busy and exciting month! Along with all the great learning happening in our classrooms, we’re also looking forward to our Spring Book Fair and Read Across America Week. Be sure to get your Hot Lunch and Treat Day orders in by March 16th—don’t miss out!

I have a small favor to ask! Each year, the state administers the 5Essentials survey, and we take the feedback very seriously. The results help guide us in making improvements at our school, so your input really does make a difference! If you haven’t had a chance to fill it out yet, I would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to do so (information below). We need at least a 20% parent response rate for our results to be recorded, and we're not quite there yet. Please consider taking the time to share your thoughts with us—it’s an important way for your voice to be heard!

I’m looking forward to another great month ahead. As always, if you have any questions or need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Warmly,
Mrs. Hutchinson

Please take the Illinois 5Essentials Parent Survey by March 28!

If you have not done so already, please be sure to take the Illinois 5Essentials Parent Survey by March 28. We must get a 20% parent response rate for our results to be reported. Please take a few moments to take the survey. Your thoughts and opinions count.

This survey assesses a school’s culture and climate and provides insight into strengths and weaknesses on the five key factors that research shows are predictive of school success - effective leaders, collaborative teachers, involved families, supportive environment, and ambitious instruction.

Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will help us understand the conditions at your child’s school and guide improvement. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.

Thanks for your support!

Important March dates to mark on your calendar:

The entire school year calendar can be viewed on our website at 2024-25 School Year Calendar.

D140 students and staff are invited to celebrate Read Across America Week by participating in our theme days, March 4 - 7.

• Tuesday, March 4: Reading is relaxing!
  Wear your pajamas, onesies, or the color blue.

• Wednesday, March 5: Dress for success!
  Wear your very best outfit or the color yellow.

• Thursday, March 6: You got this! Reading is no sweat!
  Wear your favorite sweats or the color green.

• Friday, March 7: School Spirit Friday!

• Wear your best school gear or school colors.

Click on the links below to place your child’s Hot Lunch & Snack Day orders for April and May. Orders are due by March 16th.

Kindergarten Through Fifth Grade Hot Lunch and Snack Day Orders Click Here

Pre-School Treat Day Orders Click Here

Join us at Grissom Middle School on Wednesday, March 19, at 6:30 pm for Safe Kids: A Parent’s Guide to Digital and Real-World Risks, an informative presentation by the Tinley Park Police Department.

This parents-only event provides essential information on cyberbullying, online enticement, internet safety, tobacco, vaping, and marijuana prevention, juvenile law, and the dangers of underage drinking.

Parents are invited to submit questions or topics of interest by Monday, March 17, so our presenters can tailor the presentation to attendees' interests and come prepared with answers to the questions.

Grissom Middle School is located at 17000 S. 80th Avenue, Tinley Park.

As winter temperatures set in, we kindly ask that students come to school prepared with a coat, hat, and gloves.

25 degrees and above: Outdoor recess as usual.

20-24 degrees: Shortened outdoor recess.

Below 20 degrees: Recess will be indoors.

Please help ensure your child is ready to enjoy the fresh air comfortably.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students warm and safe!

Safety is our number one concern during arrival and dismissal. We truly appreciate you working with us on keeping everyone safe. Here are a few friendly reminders:

• Please pull all the way up in the car lane. Do not leave large gaps between cars.
• The drop off lanes should be drop and go. Practice with your children on how to get out of the car unassisted. Please do not exit the car to help them get out.
• Students should exit the car on the passenger side of the car out of the line of traffic.
• We cannot dismiss students in the street on O'Brien Drive. If you arrive after the parking lot is full, please wait in your car on O'Brien Drive. When Row 1 is dismissed, you will follow the line of cars into the parking lot and pick up your child.

Please take a moment to review our Emergency Closing notification protocols and eLearning Day plan:

If emergency days are needed due to snow or extreme cold, families will receive notification via an email/text message, and an alert will be posted on our District website. KSD 140 also communicates school closure information through the District’s social media accounts and the Emergency Closing Center (ECC). Detailed school closing information can be found here.

If an emergency closing day is needed, the District may elect to use an eLearning Day instead of a traditional “snow day” that has to be made up at the end of the school year. Please refer to our eLearning Day Overview to review specifics of the plan, including school hours and access to D140’s digital platforms.

KSD 140 uses ParentSquare for email, text, and voice messaging. This unified communications platform is designed to keep parents and guardians informed and encourages greater engagement and connection with the District. Families can choose their language preference and indicate how and when they want to receive information (email, text, and/or app notifications).

We encourage parents to access their accounts so they can download the mobile app and update their preferences on when and how they are notified.

Please visit ParentSquare.com to register or download the free app for iOS or Android devices.

D140 prioritizes comprehensive strategies to support students' mental, emotional, and physical health. Please click Health Information to review our resources. Together, we can create a nurturing environment where every student can thrive.

Keep up to date with school and district information by visiting our social media pages. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns. My door is always open.

Mrs. Hutchinson

Website: https://www.ksd140.org/fernway
Location: 16600 South 88th Avenue, Orland Park, IL, USA
Phone: 708-349-3810
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FernwaySchool/